"If the Governor is unwilling or unable to do the eight regional debates, we are certainly open to another forum that would allow for a one on one debate between Governor Cuomo and County Executive Astorino," Lawler wrote.

The debate over debates is likely to continue in the coming days, weeks and months. Astorino and Zephyr Teachout, Cuomo's Democratic primary opponent, are set to debate Sept. 4; Cuomo appears unlikely to debate his Democratic foes before the primary election Sept. 9.